If you’re new to the trucking sector, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate, but you might not know enough about it.
It was signed into law in 2016, and precise compliance deadlines were set after that. Because the deadline for compliance was at the end of 2019, practically all commercial vehicles are subject to the ELD mandate from 2020.
So you’re aware of it, and you’re aware of when it went into effect, but what exactly is the ELD mandate, and what does it imply for you as a driver? Read on to learn everything there is to know about the ELD Mandate, including what it really is, why it has been established, and the exemptions you should be aware of.
What exactly is the ELD mandate?
The ELD Mandate is a rule enacted by the US federal government that mandates the use of electronic logging devices (ELDs) to collect driver and vehicle data by all commercial motor vehicle operators.
In terms of driver information, ELDs are designed to keep track of the driver’s hours of operation, which include driving, on-duty, and rest hours. For every trip, a driver must keep track of this.
ELDs can also track and record elements that are required for vehicle inspection as well as factors that are linked to operator safety (like speeding).
The ELD mandate was implemented for a reason
In a nutshell, the answer is “safety.” As you may be aware, this job necessitates a lot of time on the road. Limited hours of operation, on the other hand, have long been in order to keep drivers (including those on the roads surrounding them) as safe as possible.
The ELD mandate does not alter this; rather, it alters the means by which drivers must report their hours. Using paper logs (the ELDs predecessor), there is more possibility for error, therefore ELDs not only increase accuracy but also offer a degree of accountability.
The ELD mandate may have an unexpected benefit in that ELDs have additional monitoring abilities that do assist the objective of keeping drivers safe. While other features (like as speed monitoring) are not needed under the mandate, they are a typical gadget feature that drivers have mixed feelings about. Ultimately, the goal of ELDs and the regulation is to ensure driver safety, not to track every move they make.
To whom does the ELD mandate apply, and to whom does it not?
When looking at the ELD rule, it’s vital to keep in mind that not all drivers are required to comply with the law’s standards. While most of the drivers are required to comply with this rule, the following are the key ELD Mandate exemptions:
- Drivers who are operating a vehicle with a motor that was built prior to the year 2000. Most vehicles built before 2000. do not have an engine capable of supporting the use of an ELD. It’s important to note that the engine’s production date, not the vehicle’s, is taken into account.
- Drivers who keep RODS for no more than 8 days in a 30-day period. These drivers do not need to utilize an ELD and can keep paper logs.
- The use of an ELD is not necessary for driveaway-towaway drivers (those who drive a vehicle that is not their own and this vehicle is really the item being transported).
While it may appear that needing to use an ELD intrudes on your privacy, bear in mind that ELD mandate is there to keep you safe. It’s not about watching your every move; it’s about ensuring you and other drivers on the road are safe.